Naomi Osaka Withdraws from Pan Pacific Open Due to Back Injury

Naomi Osaka Withdraws from Pan Pacific Open Due to Back Injury

Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka of Japan has withdrawn from next week’s Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo due to a lingering back injury. The former world number one has been sidelined since retiring from her last-16 match at the China Open against eventual champion Coco Gauff earlier this month.

Osaka’s withdrawal from the Pan Pacific Open marks the latest setback in her injury-plagued season. She has struggled for consistency since returning to tennis in January after the birth of her daughter Shai in July 2023. Her best results since becoming a parent have been two quarter-final appearances.

The 27-year-old was set to compete at the Pan Pacific Open as a wild card, but organizers confirmed her absence due to a lower back injury. Osaka’s appearance at the China Open was her first tournament under Patrick Mouratoglou, the Frenchman best known for being the long-time former coach of Serena Williams.

China’s Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen, ranked number seven in the world, is now the top-ranked player at the Pan Pacific Open. Russia’s Daria Kasatkina and Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia are also set to compete.

Osaka’s withdrawal is a blow to the tournament organizers, who were hoping to attract a strong field for the first edition of the Pan Pacific Open since 2019. The tournament was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite her recent struggles, Osaka remains one of the most popular and marketable players in tennis. She has won four Grand Slam titles, including the US Open twice, and has been ranked number one in the world. Her off-court ventures, including her own clothing line and skincare brand, have also made her a global icon.

Osaka Triumphs in China Open Debut with New Coach

Osaka Triumphs in China Open Debut with New Coach

Former world number one Naomi Osaka kicked off her China Open campaign with a dominant 6-3, 6-2 victory over Lucia Bronzetti of Italy on Wednesday. The match marked Osaka’s first competitive outing since teaming up with renowned coach Patrick Mouratoglou.

Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, showcased her class against the 77th-ranked Bronzetti, wrapping up the first-round encounter in just 83 minutes. The Japanese star broke Bronzetti’s serve in the seventh game of the first set and maintained her momentum in the second set, breaking twice more to seal the victory.

Osaka’s partnership with Mouratoglou, who previously coached Serena Williams, has raised expectations for the 26-year-old. “I think I’m at a stage in my life that I don’t want to have regrets,” Osaka said after the match. “I’d rather pull the trigger on something and… I feel like I really need to learn as much as possible in this stage of my career.”

In other women’s action, former Australian Open winner Sofia Kenin advanced with a 7-5, 6-2 win over Ana Bogdan of Romania. American Taylor Townsend and Katie Volynets also progressed to the second round, while McCartney Kessler fell to China’s Zhang Shuai in a tight match.

On the men’s side, second-seeded Hubert Hurkacz of Poland overcame Marcos Giron of the United States in three sets, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-4. Matteo Berrettini of Italy also secured a straightforward 6-3, 6-4 victory over Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands.

Top-ranked Jannik Sinner and world number three Carlos Alcaraz, who shared all four Grand Slam titles this season, will begin their China Open campaigns on Thursday. However, second-ranked Alexander Zverev has withdrawn due to illness.

Naomi Osaka Returns to China Open with Rumored New Coach

Naomi Osaka Returns to China Open with Rumored New Coach

Naomi Osaka’s return to the China Open in Beijing after a five-year absence has sparked significant attention, not only for her on-court performance but also for the rumored addition of Patrick Mouratoglou to her coaching team.

Mouratoglou, a renowned coach who previously worked with Serena Williams, has been spotted alongside Osaka in Beijing, fueling speculation that he has taken over the coaching reins from Wim Fissette. Osaka confirmed her split with Fissette last week but has remained tight-lipped about Mouratoglou’s involvement.

Osaka’s arrival in Beijing marks her first appearance at the tournament since 2019, when she emerged victorious. The tournament was subsequently canceled for three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, returning last year while Osaka was on maternity leave.

Currently ranked 76th in the world, Osaka has benefited from the withdrawals of Caroline Garcia, Marie Bouzkova, and Caroline Wozniacki, which granted her direct entry into the tournament.

Defending champion Iga Swiatek will not participate in this year’s event due to personal reasons, leaving the door open for Osaka to make a deep run.

Osaka’s partnership with Mouratoglou, if confirmed, would be a significant development in her career. Mouratoglou’s expertise and experience could prove invaluable as Osaka aims to regain her former dominance on the WTA Tour.

Holger Rune and Patrick Mouratoglou Part Ways Again

Holger Rune and Patrick Mouratoglou Part Ways Again

Holger Rune and Patrick Mouratoglou’s tumultuous player-coach relationship has hit another roadblock, with the pair mutually agreeing to part ways once again. The announcement comes just four months after they resumed their partnership, which had previously yielded significant success for Rune.

Rune, the 21-year-old Danish star, took to social media to confirm the split, stating that he and Mouratoglou had “mutually decided to part ways” after “good talks.” He emphasized that Mouratoglou would remain a “great friend,” but that the current setup with his fellow Dane, Kenneth Carlsen, was the best for his development.

Rune’s relationship with Mouratoglou and his academy dates back to his teenage years. They first worked together one-on-one from October 2022 to April 2023, during which time Rune ascended the rankings and claimed his maiden ATP Masters 1000 title at Paris-Bercy. However, their first partnership ended abruptly, with Rune’s mother and manager citing “ego clashes” as a contributing factor.

In February, after brief stints with Boris Becker and Severin Luthi, Rune rehired Mouratoglou, expressing confidence in their shared “high goals.” However, the reunion has proven short-lived, with Rune’s ranking slipping to No. 17 in the world, his lowest since before his Paris-Bercy breakthrough.

The news of the split coincides with a challenging health period for Rune, who was forced to withdraw from the Paris Olympics due to a lingering bone bruise in his wrist. He was expected to compete in singles and mixed doubles alongside Caroline Wozniacki, but his Olympic debut was cut short.

Rune remains optimistic about his future, stating that he is “looking forward to being healthy and back on track again.” He will continue to train at the Mouratoglou Academy, which has been a valuable resource for his development.

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